Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan is not exactly in the most indispensable of positions right now following his team's heart-breaking series loss at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Rumors have been circling pertaining to the Thunder front office considering a possible replacement for Donovan, with the 53-year-old posing as a potential scapegoat for the team's recent shortcomings.
In a recent statement, Donovan himself shed some light on the wonderful working relationship he has with Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook, which will definitely be an important factor as the Thunder consider Donovan's future with the team.
Donovan on relationship with Westbrook: “Russell has always been respectful. We’ve always communicated, always talked and from a relationship standpoint, I feel good about that.”
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) April 25, 2019
This was Donovan's fourth year as the Thunder head coach, with the past three seasons all ending with a first-round playoffs exit. This surely does not meet the objectives the team have set out, especially after signing All-Star wing Paul George to a big money, multi-year contract last summer.
Donovan and the Thunder's most recent exit was perhaps the most painful, especially considering the manner by which they were sent home. Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard hit them with the dagger of all daggers in Game 5 on Tuesday, as the Portland talisman beat them with a 37-foot step-back three-pointer at the buzzer.
This only further emphasized Oklahoma City's disappointment, as they could not have ended this season in a more depressing fashion.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out within the next couple of months, but surely, the Thunder will need to make some moves if they hope to improve their side for next season.
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